bigga delegation see what’s - michigan state...

26 GI JANUARY 2012 JANUARY 2012 GI 27

BIGGA DeLeGAtIon

BIGGA DelegationBIGGA HouseAldwarkAlneYorkYO61 1ZZ

– 21

Applicants must be Greenkeeper members of BIGGA. Closing date for entries 21st September, 2011

TO ENTER GO TO: www.bernhard.co.uk/bigga2012 — Or return this card for an application form

Sponsored by BernhardMakers of Express Dual

2012 Golf Industry Show

BIGGA invite you to enter to win a FREE trip to the

in Las Vegas

READy FOR A TRIp OF A LIFETIME?

Las Vegashere we come

The latest group of BIGGA membes to be selected for the Bernhard & Co sponsored Delegation head for Nevada at the end of next month

Focus on FungicidesDr Terry Mabbut

gets technical

The Unseen Irrigation SystemIrrigation matters

uncovered

Inside...

One man bands

Featured

Inside...

SEPTEMBER 2011

GREENKEEPERINTERNATIONALGI

SMART MANAGEMENTHow to keep a well maintained golf

course in times of austerity measures

HISTORY IN THE MAKINGJohn Deere is this month’s

Gold Key sponsor profi le

BACK IN TIMEWe take a look at

this month in 1972

Life as a lone greenkeeper

can be tricky yet rewarding

ALSO INSIDE... Tree care : Tank mixing : Anatomy of top dressers

GI_SEP11.indd 1

24/08/2011 15:15

BIGGA Delegation

BIGGA House

AldwarkAlneYorkYO61 1ZZ

– 21

Applicants must be Greenkeeper members of BIGGA. Closing date for entries 21st September, 2011TO ENTER GO TO: www.bernhard.co.uk/bigga2012 — Or return this card for an application form

Sponsored by Bernhard

Makers of Express Dual

BIGGA invite you to enter

to win a FREE trip to the

in Las Vegas

– 21

in Las Vegas

Ernest Doe & Sons LtdUlting, Maldon, Essex CM9 6QH Tel 01245 380311

where you can buy with confidence

Free Parking • Free Entry • Free Refreshments • NRoSO Points Awarded

at the 52ndDoe Show

www.ernestdoe.com

7th, 8th, 9th February 2012Ulting Maldon CM9 6QH

New Parkway 3 commercial mowerNew mid-range tractors with Tier 4 engines

Ploughing demos from John Hill, World Champion

• over 150 trade stands • new machinery • used machinery bargains • shop-soiled and ex-dem at ‘to sell’ prices • working demonstrations • large indoor display of ancillary products • parts and showroom offers • catering facilities

The UK’s largest agricultural/construction/groundcare dealer show

See what’snew

Stolen from Rotherfield East Sussex in the early hours of 23rd November

MF 4335 2wd Tractor GX03 OUA VIN No L51222 Engine No I298507J. Charterhouse 7521 Verti-Drain serial No

A49528 - Newer than shown in photo, with extended rear roller and white deckles.

Reward offered for information leading to recovery

Call 07850 612061 or Sussex Police on 101

ADVertISe Hereto appear in Around the Green, or elsewhere in the magazine, please contact Jill on 01347 833800

The professional body for golf greenkeepers

in Las Vegas

JANUARY 2012 GI 2928 GI JANUARY 2012

BIGGA DeLeGAtIon

Name: Neil BallingallAge: 48position: superintendentClub: Fairmont, st Andrews

Neil started out as an Assistant at Lundin Golf Club in 1987, before becoming Deputy Course Manager, at Muirfield, in 1993. In 1997 he was appointed Golf Courses Manager at Moray Golf Club and four years later

he became Golf Course Superintendent, Fairmont, St Andrews.He is married with two daughters, three step daughters and

two dogs. He lists his hates as gardening and shopping and his loves, all things to do with golf, football and his team, East Fife, and family time.

Name: Alan pierce MGAge: 31position: Course ManagerClub: Ham Manor Golf Club

Alan started greenkeeping in 1995 straight from school, and had the opportunity to gain experience at different clubs as well as a period working for John Shaw Machinery as a technician. He started at Wellshurst

GC in East Sussex, then moved to Chartham Park Golf Club in West Sussex and Royal Eastbourne GC in East Sussex before moving to Ham Manor GC as Deputy Course Manager in 2005. He took over as Course Manager in 2007. In 2005 he won the Toro Student Greenkeeper of the Year Award and studied at the University of Massachussetts as part of his prize. He enrolled on the Master Greenkeeper programme in 2010 and completed the certificate in November 2011 becoming the 54th Master Greenkeeper in the world.

In his spare time he likes to spend time with wife, Becky, and daughter Erin. He also ride motorcycles, an MV Agusta F4 and Suzuki TL1000, and he plays inline hockey for Brighton Blizzard. He loves music and enjoys playing the guitar and he plays golf, in his words, badly.

Name: George pittsAge: 38position: Course ManagerClub: Yelverton Golf Club

George completed an HND in Golf Course Management and gained a distinction as well as receiving the BIGGA South West Cup for highest mark in dissertation.

He joined St Mellion International before moving to Sherfield Oaks as Deputy Course Manager and then worked as Deputy Course Manager at Bovey Castle.

He moved on to become Programme Manager for Sports Turf Courses at Cannington Centre, Bridgwater College, where he was responsible for the development and delivery of all Sports Turf Courses.

He then realised a career ambition when appointed Course Manager at Yelverton Golf Club where he has been for four years and is thoroughly enjoying all its challenges.

He became Section Secretary for BIGGA Devon and Cornwall in 2009.

George lives on Dartmoor with wife, Celia, and two children, Oliver, 4, and Lily, 1. He is a keen sportsman and enjoys running and walking on the moor.

Name: David Gray Age: 30position: First AssistantClub: Ladybank Golf Club

David has been in the industry for over 15 years, and is qualified to SVQII and SVQIII in Greenkeeping and Greenkeeping management.

His hobbies include golf, which he plays to a 3 handicap, snooker, poker and going

to the gym. He also enjoys supporting local music, socialising with friends and eating out. He has been married to Fiona for four and a half years.

David is passionate about the industry and loves learning new methods and techniques.

He also really enjoys guiding, teaching and passing on his knowledge to others. He is excited and honoured to have been selected to represent BIGGA, and the industry at the show and believes that it will be very exciting and hugely beneficial for his career.

Name: pete NewtonAge: 34position: Head GreenkeeperClub: Rockcliffe Hall G&CC

Pete started greenkeeping in 1996 and he attended Myerscough College where he was to complete an HND in Turf Science and Golf Course Management,

Deciding that he wanted to work at a tournament venue he was appointed

an Assistant at Marriott Forest of Arden, where he worked for five and a half years and worked on five European Tour events at the Forest of Arden and other events at other courses on a voluntary basis. During that time he was promoted to Senior Assistant and then First Assistant on the Arden Championship Course.

He moved to Marriott Worsley Park as First Assistant for 18 months before he was appointed Deputy Head Greenkeeper on the Brabazon at the Belfry. where he spent two years during which time he worked at the British Masters again.

He applied for and got the Head Greenkeepers job at Rockliffe Hall, where he has been for almost four years helping oversee the build and grow in of the course to its opening.

Name: Dan McGrath MGAge: 35position: Course ManagerClub: North Foreland GC

Entered the industry straight from school and studied Sportsturf Management/Science full time for a year in his hometown of Cork, in Ireland.

From there he trained at Fota Island GC during which time they hosted the Irish Open. He then moved on to do the Grow In at the Old Head of Kinsale in Cork.

Following completion of the Old Head and with the appetite to do more Grow Ins, he applied and was successful in gaining a position at Kings Hill GC in Kent to carry out the construction in 1996. He stayed on following opening for play until 1999 where he then had a year out to travel with his wife. His position was kept open and he returned to the role of Head Greenkeeper.

In 2005, he became Course Manager at both Pyrford & Traditions Golf Clubs in Surrey before taking on his current role of Course Manager at North Foreland GC in 2005.

He is a strong advocate of education and obtained his Master Greenkeeper in 2011 with the help of his very supportive team and employers. He is married with two children, Tadhg, 5, and Mairead, 3.

Name: stuart HallAge: 40position: Workshop ManagerClub: John O’Gaunt

Stuart joined John O’Gaunt in May 1987 as a trainee greenkeeper and studied horticulture and turf care at Milton College, At the same time the club had been looking for a trainee

mechanic, and subsequently was offered a three year agricultural engineering course at Shuttleworth College.

Once qualified in 1991, he continued working on the golf course as a greenkeeper and in the workshop until being promoted to Workshop Manager in March 1994. From that time until the present day he continued his education by attending manufacturer-based training courses, service schools and turf care seminars.

The highlight of his career to date has to be, being selected as a volunteer workshop technician at the 2010 Ryder Cup held at Celtic Manor Resort.

Name: Jaime Acton Age: 32 position: Head GreenkeeperClub: Worlebury GC

Jaime has been greenkeeping since he left school at the age of 16 where he spent 11 years working at the links of Weston-super-Mare GC.

Although he really enjoyed his time at Weston he left in 2006 when he was

offered the role of Head Greenkeeper at Worlebury GC. Although looking after a clay based golf course built on a

limestone ridge has had its challenges, he has very much enjoyed his time there.

Having gained an NVQ Level 3 he recently returned to education to do NVQ Level 4 and ILM in Sports Turf Management at Myerscough College.

He is married to Alex and they have two children, Elijah, 5, and Arabella, 3.

He enjoys playing golf and is a huge football fan. supporting Tottenham Hotspur.

Name: Daniel NorsworthyAge: 28position: Deputy Course ManagerClub: Richmond Golf Club

Daniel started his greenkeeping career at Cranleigh Golf & Leisure, and after a few years training gained his Level 2. He was then offered a job at The Richmond Golf Club.

He continued his training and development gaining Level 3, and other

relevant qualifications and after seven years at Richmond, he was offered the position as Deputy Golf Course Manager under the watchful eye of Master Greenkeeper Les Howkins.

He hopes ultimately to run his own own golf course.He enjoys most things, nice food, catching up with friends and

hitting the gym and trying to play golf!

Name: stuart Yarwood MGAge: 36position: Course ManagerClub: Lymm Golf Club

Stuart started his career in greenkeeping after undertaking HND in Golf Course Management in 1993. After graduation he spent two years in golf course construction. It was the appointment of Deputy Head

Greenkeeper at Delamere Golf Club that ignited his passion for the traditions of the game and sustainable greenkeeping. In 2000 at the age of 24, Stuart took on the position of Course Manager at Lymm Golf Club where he works today.

In 2006 he was involved in the conception of the ‘Gingerbread Men’ to promote sustainable greenkeeping and networking among greenkeepers, and in 2009 he qualified as a Master Greenkeeper. Stuart is a big man with a big heart, married to the ever understanding, Paula, with two beautiful children.

Meet the delegates....The BIGGA Delegation, sponsored by Bernhard, and reaches a significant milestone when it travels to Las vegas for the Golf Industry show next month.

Included within the number will be the 100th delegate to have made the trip since the very first Delega-tion, and the only one to travel to the Canadian Superintendents’ Conference and Show, did so in 2001. A total of 20 GCSAA Superin-tendents have also made the return trip to Harrogate..

Not one of the 90 BIGGA mem-bers who have already experienced the Delegation will ever forget the experience and the programme

that has been organised for the 2012 group is sure to leave the same impression.

The latest Delegates will fly out to Las Vegas at the end of Febru-ary with a full week ahead of them. They will enjoy the full Conference Package including the Opening Session and the GCSAA President’s Reception.

They will also be taken to two local golf courses to meet the Superintendent and inspect the golf course.

They will also have access to two full days of GCSAA Seminars and will be guests at a Bernhard Reception which will provide the opportunity to meet top 100 golf

course Superintendents, mem-bers of the GCSAA, members from BIGGA, international golf course Superintendents, and research agronomists from US universities.

“We are delighted that the Del-egation is such a popular attraction for BIGGA members and that we had such a high quality group of applicants to select from.

The experiences that the success-ful ten will take from the week in Las Vegas will be truly memorable and I am sure that the friendships which will be formed and developed during the week will last a lifetime,” said Bernhard’s Managing Direc-tor, Bob Buckingham.